Dave Lawrence

Local Host, All Things Considered

Dave Lawrence has been on the radio for over 25 years.

He’s hosted All Things Considered on Hawaii Public Radio since 2009, and has hosted afternoon radio in the islands since 2002. Previously he was music director and afternoon host for 105.9 KPOI, Honolulu; following five years there, he worked on-camera with Hawaii comedian/TV personality Andy Bumatai as a segment host on The Andy Bumatai Show. Prior to his time in the islands, Dave spent nearly a decade at CBS/Infinity Broadcasting’s WBCN and WZLX, in Boston as a member of the air-staff as well as producer for both afternoons with Mark Parenteau and AM Drive for The Big Mattress with Charles Laquidara.

He graduated from Emerson College, where he produced the communication school’s first music CD/ compact disc of material recorded live at the radio station, WERS Presents... Live On Gyroscope. The release won the NACB Creative Project Award in 1993.

Throughout his radio career, Dave has developed his skills as an interviewer, speaking with a wide range of diverse musicians and artists. From Ozzy Osbourne to Carlos Santana, Pete Townshend to James Brown, Smokey Robinson to Brian Wilson, Dave has interviewed hundreds of seminal artists, both in-person and on the phone. Dave has hosted a number of critcally acclaimed artists in HPR's own Atherton Performing Arts Studio, including Ben Vereen, Journey's Neal Schon, Ziggy Marley, Booker T. Jones, Hot Tuna, Godsmack, Taj Mahal and many others. In addition to the music features, Dave also hosts two weekly segments on Hawaii Public Radio. “Stargazer” is done with astronomer Christopher Phillips, giving listeners an idea what to look for in our island skies, plus tapping into the teams of researchers working at the Mauna Kea summit, and observatories around the world. “Helping Hand” is an extended interview segment which highlights organizations assisting the most vulnerable in the community, giving exposure to those that fight for the disabled and others facing special needs, including the homeless, those facing domestic abuse, the elderly and other at risk populations. Helping Hand underlines Dave’s passion for helping those in need.

Dave's exposure to radio and assisting community members in need is part of his family background; his mother Isobel worked in the radio industry, as well as being a disability design consultant and a strong supporter of disabled U.S. veterans.

Ways to Connect

The global success of the suburban Washington, DC reggae band SOJA is itself a remarkable story. Digging deeper in a hotel interview we recorded during their last visit to the islands, band leader Jacob Hemphill shared with HPR’s Dave Lawrence some of his own international experience, and explained how the group’s sound developed.

SOJA play the MACC in Kahului Friday, Saturday they’re at Kaka`ako Waterfront Park in Honolulu, and Sunday at Kilohana Plantation on Kaua`i. See video of the interview and hear the radio feature below.

Bill Cosby’s career has spanned decades, styles and media platforms. Along the way, he picked up a PhD in Education, which has remained a theme in his life. Ahead of a pair of island dates, he told HPR’s Dave Lawrence, that at 75, he’s been thinking about some lessons from the past.

Bill Cosby is at the MACC in Kahului Friday and the Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu Saturday. Hear more of this conversation below.

Next month Boston band the Dropkick Murphys return to the islands. The group has been active since the late 90’s, though prominent featuring of their music in the film The Departed considerably boosted their profile. Longtime drummer Matt Kelly told HPR’s Dave Lawrence about his connections to Hawai`i.

Robin and Linda Williams are performers who’ve been closely associated with the public radio show A Prairie Home Companion for decades. Ahead of their debut island tour, they explained to HPR’s Dave Lawrence how the pair came together back in 1971.

Common Bond is the upcoming solo album from Billy Joel sax player/Ringo Starr All Starr Band Music Director Mark Rivera. It's also a good way to describe his connection to The Beatles, having worked with three of the Fab Four, and in a series encore recorded in Sydney, he explained to HPR’s Dave Lawrence how the journey started with John Lennon.

He’s sold over 250 million albums around the world; is credited with Britain's first rock and roll song; and Beatle John Lennon once stated that before this performer came along, “there had been nothing worth listening to in British music”. We’re talking about entertainer and philanthropist Sir Cliff Richard. HPR’s Dave Lawrence caught up with him during a recent tour stop in Sydney, Australia.

See and hear the complete interview with Sir Cliff Richard below, recorded 12 February 2013 during his run at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia.

Shortly after releasing their debut album Kilroy Was Here, members of local rock act 11th Hour visited our Atherton Performing Arts Studio for a special unplugged performance/interview session with HPR’s Dave Lawrence.

See the complete video and get the audio of 11th Hour performing at the Atherton below.

Kilroy Was Here is their debut album. The band is performing live Saturday March 9th at the Sandbox, Waikiki. Find out more about 11th Hour online at their home page.

Actress Sarah Wayne Callies grew up in Honolulu before striking it big first in Prison Break, and more recently, in The Walking Dead. The Punahou grad took time to speak with HPR’s Dave Lawrence on a recent trip home. During her debut Atherton Performing Arts Studio visit, she shared some of her earliest Hawai`i experiences.

Hear and see Sarah Wayne Callies' complete Atherton Studio session below. Catch black and white episodes of the first seasons of The Walking Dead Thursdays on AMC and look for her recurring appearances on new episodes Sunday evenings.

Santana's tour brings him to Hawai`i for a pair of shows next month, his first public island performances in fifteen years. This afternoon we present the first in two extended interview segments on All Things Considered as host Dave Lawrence speaks with Carlos Santana about his upcoming concerts, latest album Shape Shifter and more.

Listen for another extended interview feature with Carlos Santana as we get closer to the shows, and another week of featuring Santana's music during our calendar segment at 12:20 and 4:20 each weekday on All Things Considered.